Trent University Appoints New Provost and Vice-President Academic

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

From the Office of the President

Dr. Gary Boire to take on key administrative role effective September 1, 2010

Friday, May 21, 2010, Peterborough

Trent University is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Gary Boire as the new provost and vice-president academic, effective September 1, 2010.

Dr. Boire will assume the role from Dr. Christine McKinnon, acting provost and vice-president academic, who has provided excellent leadership in the position since September 1, 2008.

Dr. Boire currently serves as vice-president academic at the University of Regina. He has held other administrative positions such as founding dean, faculty of graduate studies at Lakehead University; international liaison officer at Lakehead University; acting dean, faculty of social sciences and humanities at Lakehead University; and chair of the Department of English and Film Studies at Wilfrid Laurier University.

He received his B.A., English Literature, at Loyola College (Université de Montréal), and completed his M.A. and Ph.D., English Literature, at McMaster University. 

Dr. Boire has experience and a keen understanding of integrated planning and multi-year budget frameworks. He will assume the mandate of the provost and vice-president academic as approved by Senate and the Board. This academic leadership position will focus on University operations and budget, integrated planning and strategic initiatives, and student success and engagement.   

The provost and vice-president academic will provide overall leadership as the chief academic officer responsible for academic administration, including the strategies, planning, development implementation and assessment of all academic priorities, policies and programs. The provost will be responsible for the development of the overall budget and for the allocation of funds and other resources in alignment with the University’s academic priorities through leadership, responsibility and accountability.

“One of the many duties of the provost is to ensure the intellectual and academic, strategic and operational, educational and fiscal health of the University,” said Dr. Boire, reflecting on his future priorities. “A key focus will be to understand first the many local cultures that thrive on the Trent campus, to learn the many “languages”—Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal—that have long existed in this place. In addition I hope to sustain and strengthen international relationships, continue to develop existing educational pathways and support programs, and strategically review and understand our innovative undergraduate and graduate programming.

“I sincerely look forward to being at Trent this September, working with all faculty and staff, and engaging with the excellent students the University attracts to its Peterborough and Oshawa campuses,” he said.

Dr. Boire has led many university-wide and program-specific initiatives during his career including: the implementation of academic program prioritization review; amalgamation of academic and research budget plans; creation of the vice-president’s academic advisory council (VPAC); comprehensive restructuring of student affairs; development of a collaborative B.Sc. Nursing programme; development of internationalization strategy; strengthening of relationships with the First Nations University of Canada; professional development for associate vice presidents and new deans; and the chairing of various search committees.

“Trent University is pleased to welcome Dr. Boire to his new role,” said Dr. Steven E. Franklin, president and vice-chancellor of Trent University. “His significant experience and accomplishments in various areas of university administration will be a boon to Trent at a pivotal time in our integrated planning process.” 

At the Board of Governors Executive Committee meeting, Dr. Franklin also paid tribute to Dr. Christine McKinnon for her years of service as acting provost and vice-president academic, and her previous leadership role as dean of arts and science.

“Dr. McKinnon led the academic mission to a point where Trent is on the threshold of making outstanding academic advancements in structure and planning. She has always stepped forward whenever asked to assume strong leadership and responsibility. Trent owes Dr. McKinnon a debt of gratitude for her many contributions and achievements,” said President Franklin.

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For more information and to arrange an interview with Dr. Boire, please contact:

Marilyn Burns, director, Marketing & Communications, (705) 748-1011, ext. 6184